Converting a Small Basement Space Into a Luxury Wine Cellar

Stack upon stack of boxes of wine – that’s what these homeowners had in a closed off basement space. This DIY Network video shows how this 100′ x 100′ space was converted into a luxury wine cellar:

This wine cellar was designed with future needs in mind. The plan was to add a vapor barrier and insulation buildout and to install a cooling unit, racking system, door and lighting – with a budget of $9,000.

Any room built to retain moisture is essentially insulated backwards. The vapor barrier went on the warm side of the cellar – the exterior of the wall. Wall preparation is critical and has to be done correctly in order to prevent creating a mold chamber.

The designer suggested more affordable adjustable racking. The wood boxes below the counter were less expensive than single bottle racking and still met their storage needs. Options for wood included an expensive cherry or a cheaper dark-stained maple, but they went with a mid-range oiled red oak with a black walnut trim that would still complement the woodwork throughout the home.

Finishing touches included a light color paint, natural slate flooring and an exterior grade door built to withstand temperature changes.